Rural youth indicate a preference for urban life

Nearly 40% of young people living in the countryside say they plan to move

Interim results of an international survey of rural youth indicate that nearly 40% of young people plan to leave the countryside and relocate in urban centres.

The early findings of the Rural Youth Project (RYP) survey were announced at the European Network for Rural Development and the data, which looks at housing, transport, connectivity, healthcare, employment, skills and training, income and social wellbeing, will be analysed with support from Scottish Enterprise to illustrate what barriers and opportunities are influencing young people’s choices.

The aim of the project is to help inform decision-makers and ensure future generations thrive in their business and personal life.

According to the survey organisers, Jane Craigie Marketing, 92% of those who responded said broadband was essential to their future and 50% claimed they didn’t have a say in what happens in their community.

However, as well as issues, the survey also highlighted the opportunities rural living offers young people, with 75% saying that youth groups had given them “confidence, resilience and a positive outlook on the future”, and others cited the space and beauty of living outside urban centres.

With only days to go to the survey deadline of Thursday, the organisers are calling on all young people aged 18-28, living rurally, in any occupation from agriculture to health, retail or education, to complete its online form.

Jane Craigie, co-founder of the RYP, said: “Not only can you win tickets to some great events, but by spending a few minutes responding to the survey you can help make a real difference.

“The more people who take part, the more voices will be heard and the more weight we have to convince those who have the ability to make a difference that it is worth the investment.”

Survey responses have been collected from as far as Angola, Canada, Iceland

The more people who take part, the more voices will be heard

and Australia as well as from Orkney to Oxford in the UK.

The survey partners include LANTRA Scotland, the Scottish Association of Young Farmers, Rural Youth Europe, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Rural Action, Scottish Rural Network and YouthLink Scotland.

The final results will be announced at a rural youth festival on a farm in central Scotland in early August.

Young people from all over the world who have demonstrated leadership potential will share in two days of music, speaker events and leadership workshops.

The survey also highlighted the opportunities rural living offers young people.